Material applicator for fruits and vegetables



March 20, 1956 R. D. GERwE 2,738,761

MATERIAL APPLICATOR FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Filed Aug. 28, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 1 E'IE 1 INVENTOR RAYMOND D. GERWE BY #M/firm? March 20,1956 R. D. GERwE 2,738,761

MATERIAL ARPLrcAToR FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Filed Aug. 28, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 2 36 Y BY #am ATTORNEY March zo, 1956 R. D. GERWE 2,738,761

MATERIAL APPLICATOR FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Filed Aug. 28, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 5 El-'IE c Am.. am xm Am. .am um l 26 2/ /7/ 2 2 INVENTORRAYMOND D. GERWE ATTORNEY March 20, 1956 R. D. GERWE 2,738,761

MATERIAL APPLICATOR FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Filed Aug. 28, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 4 gg f5-1E.' L 39 46 54 47 sz s6 97 5,

g4 /7/ 2 f INVENTOR RAYMOND n. csnws United States Patent() MATERIALAPPLICATR FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Application August 28, 1951, SerialNo. 244,057

' s claims. (c1. 11s- 13) This invention relates to an apparatus forapplying ilowable material to the outer surface of articles; saidapparatus being particularly well `adapted to the application ofWater-wax emulsions, adherent powders, detergent solutions, fungicidaland/or bactericidal solutions and the like, to food commodities such asfresh fruit and vegetables.

In the commercial preparation for market of fresh fruit and vegetables,for example, oranges and potatoes, it is common practice to wash theproduce, using a soap or detergent solution, dry it, and subsequentlyWax and polish it to enhance the appearance thereof and to preserve saidproduce. In order to destroy bacteria and to inhibit the growth of moldon the fruit and vegetables, they are sometimes also treated with abactericide and/or a fungicide before they are waxed and polished.

These operations may all be performed on the produce While it is beingconveyed from a' receiving station to a packing station by apparatuswell known in the art, namen ly, transverse roll conveyors. Saidtransverse roll conveyors comprise a series of closely spacedtransversely mounted brushes or rollers over which the fruit orvegetables are both rotated and conveyed by the rotation of said brushesor rollers. Since the introduction of these transverse roll conveyors anumber of devices for association with said conveyors have been devisedand used to apply the various owable materials employed in the abovementioned preparation processes to the food produce. However, none ofthese devices has been very successful in applying said materials evenlyover the surface of all of the processed produce.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus forevenly and efficiently applying a owable material to the surface ofarticles, such as fruit and vegetables. 1 l

It is an object of this invention to providean improved applicatingdevice for coating the surface of articles with a thin lm of owablematerial.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusfor distributing a ilowable material uniformly over the surface of acylindrical, rotatably mounted material applying roller.

A further object of this invention is to provide a relativelyinexpensive apparatus for evenly applying in a controlled manner a thinilm of a owable material to the outer surface of articles, such as fruitand vegetables.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following de scription and the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a left side elevation of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged right side elevation of a portion of the machine,the view being aligned with the horizontal.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section along the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially along the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

ICC

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modified embodiment of theinvention. y

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the mechanism disclosed in Fig. 6.

The embodiments of the invention disclosed in the draw-` ings andhereinafter described are adapted to apply a liquid, such as a water-waxemulsion, uniformly to the outer surface of fruit or vegetables, forexample, red Irish or sweet potatoes. As illustrated in the drawings,the appa ratus is carried on a suitable framework 11 (Fig. 1) composedof two pairs of upright, spaced, angle bars 12 and 13 which are joinednear their lower ends by horizontally positioned angle bars 14, only onebeing shown. The pair of angle bars 12 are slightly longer than the pairof bars 13 and two angle irons 16 are supported in an inclined positionbetween the upper ends of the bars 12 and 13.

A conventional transverse roller table 17 (Fig. l) having feed anddischarge chutes 13 and 19, respectively, and a drip pan 2l) is mountednear the upper portion of the framework 11. The transverse rollers 21 ofsaid table 17 are journaled in rails 22 (Fig. 4) secured between thebars 12 and 13 (Fig. 1). Said rails 22 are parallel to the inclinedangle irons 16 and hence the roller table 17 is inclined upwardlybeinglower at the feed end than it is at the discharge end. The rollers 21are adapted to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. l)through means of sprockets 23 secured to their shafts 24, said sprockets23 being engaged by an endless chain 26 which conveys movement to saidsprockets 23 from a variable speed motor 27 through a chain and sprocketdrive mechanisrn 28.

Immediately above the roller table 17 (Fig. 1) and transverse theretoare mounted two cylindrical brush rollers 29 and 30, the shafts 31 and32, respectively (Fig. 2), of which are journaled in like bearings 33bolted to a pair of lateral angle irons 34 adjustably secured to anglemembers 36. Said members 36 are attached at a right angle to theinclined angle irons 16 by means of brackets 37 and lateral bars 38 aresecured between the upper extremities of said members 36 thereby forminga superstructure 39 for supporting the rollers 29 and 30, a reservoir 41(Fig. l) and a dispensing device 42.

The dispensing device 42 (Fig. 3) is positioned irnmediately above theroller 3) and comprises a horizontal rod 43 secured in bearing blocks 44mounted opposite each other on the lateral bars 38. A carriage 46 ispivotally mounted on the rod 43 for both rotational and transversesliding movement, a depending portion 47 (Fig. 5) of said carriage 46being provided with a transverse passage 4S for receiving a cylindricalbearing 49 through which the rod 43 extends. The bearing blocks 44 (Fig.3) also journal a shaft 51 provided with a continuous, reversing thread52 which mates with a downwardly projecting tooth 53 (Fig. 5) pivotallysecured in the carriage 46 for rotation about a vertical axis. Thethread 52 (Fig. 3) extends along the shaft 51 for substantially theentire width of the brush roller 30. The carriage 46 is thus supportedby the rod 43 and the threaded shaft 5l for reciprocal movement in` atransverse direction from one end to the other of said roller 30.

The tooth 53 (Fig. 5) is formed with an upstanding cylindrical stud 54that rotatably mates with a vertical passage 56 drilled in the carriage46. The stud 54 is smaller in diameter than the body of the tooth 53thus providing a shoulder 57 on said tooth 53. Said shoulder 57 isadapted to bear against the lower surface of the carriage 46thus`enabling the thread engaging tooth 53 to support said carriage 46substantially parallel to the inclined lateral bars 38. The stud 54 isloosely held in the passage 56 by a washer 58 secured to the free upperend of said stud 54 by a screw 59.

The threaded shaft 51 (Fig. 3) has a portion 61 of reduced diameterwhich extends outwardly beyond one of the bearing blocks 44 and has asprocket 62 secured thereto. The shafts 31 and 32 also have outwardlyextending portions 63 and 6d, respectively, to which are securedsprockets 66, 67 and 6E. The sprockets 62 and 6i? (Fig. 1)' have a chain69 trained around them and said chain 69 is in turn wrapped around asprocket 7G of the chain and sprocket mechanism whereby counterclockwiserotation (Fig. 1) of the shafts 32 and 51 is obtained. A chain 71 isalso trained around the sprockets 66 and 67 in order that the rollers.29 and 39 will both be rotated in the same direction, nan ely,counterclockwise as seen in Fig. 1, due to the rotation of the shaft 32.

A takeeup lever 72 is loosely mounted on the shaft extension 64 (Fig. 3)and a sprocket 7.3 (Fig. l) rotatably mounted on said lever 72 is urgedagainst the chain 69 by a spring 7d tensioned between said lever 72 andthe adjacent lateral angle bar 34. Thus, the chain 69 is continuouslymaintained snugly around the sprockets 62, 6d

and 7u. The chain 69 is sufiiciently long that it may be used withdifferent sized sprockets 62 and 68 should it be desired to change therelative speed of the shafts 51 and 32, respectively.

A pan '75 (Figs. 3 and 5) is provided beneath the ro-d 43 and the shaft51 to catch any lubricant which may drip from them, thereby preventingcontamination of the emulsion applying brush roller 3@ positioned justbeneath said rod d3 and said shaft 51. Said pan 75 is provided on eachend with a tongue 75a (Fig. 2) each tongue being held between thebearing blocks 4d and the lateral bars 38.

The carriage 46 (Fig. 5) pivotally supports a needle valve 76, adjacentits rear extremity, for dispensing emulsion from the reservoir 41. Theoutlet pipe 77 of said valve 76 is threadably engaged in an enlargedportion 78 of a central aperture 79 formed in a support plug 81 that isrotatably mounted in a hole 32 provided in the carriage 46. The plug 81has an enlarged head 83 which supports it in the hole 82. Around theperiphery of the plug 81 there is an annular groove 84 adapted toregister with a screw 86 which anchors said plug in the hole 82 whileleaving it free to rotate therein, A pipe 87 is mated with an enlargedthreaded portion 8d at the lower end of the central aperture 79, saidpipe 87 having a passage 89 one end of which connects with the needlevalve 76 through said aperture 79. rlhe opposite end of said passage 89is open and is disposed directly above the roller 30 (Fig. 2).

The needle valve 76 (Fig. 1) is supplied by gravity with a water-waxemulsion from the reservoir 41 through a flexible hose 91 attached tothe bottom of said reservoir by a connection 92. The reservoir 41 issupported at the top of the superstructure 39 by two pairs of angle bars93 and 94 which are fastened to the lateral bars 38 through transverseangles 95.

The operation of the machine is continuous. Upon rotation of thethreaded shaft 51 in the direction of the arrow A (Figs. 3 and 4) thecarriage 46 is oscillated continuously from one end of the roller 30 tothe other, due to the urge of the continuous thread 52 upon the tooth53. Said tooth 53 travels one direction in a flight 96 (Figs. 3 and 4)of said thread 52 until it reaches a reversing flight 97 at oneextremity of said thread where it then travels in an opposite directionin a flight 98 until it reaches a similar reversing tiight 99 at theother extremity of the thread 52, and so on, back and forth over the topof the roller 3G during the operation of the applicator.

The needle valve 76 should be pre-set to supply the proper amount ofwater-wax emulsion to the roller 30 in order that said roller may alwaysbe supplied with a uniform coating of said emulsion throughout itsentire length. The proper setting. of the valve 76 may be determined byexperiment for different pro-ducts and grades thereof. The needle valve76 may be set to deliver a steady flow of emulsion or it may be adjustedto slowly drip emulsion upon the roller 36, but in any event theoscillation of the distributing valve 76 back and forth above the roller30 will keep the entire periphery of said rotating brush 30 suppliedwith a uniform amount of emulsion. As previously stated, the speed ofthe screw shaft 51 may be varied by changing the size of the sprocket 62whereby the brush traversing speed of the valve 76 may be regulated togive a further control feature to the device.

The produce, here shown as potatoes, is delivered over the feed chute 18(Fig. l) to the table rollers 21 and thence urged forward and upward, inthe direction of the arrow B by said rollers 21 for delivery over thedischarge chute 19 (Fig. l). During this travel over the table 17, asthe produce passes under the rotating emulsion-coated brush miler 316said produce is gently brushed thereby, es seen in Fi". so that an eventhin film of protective emulsion it led over the entire surface of saidproduce. Upon reaching the roller 29 the produce is further brushed andpolished to give it a luster and to further smooth out the film ofwater-wax emulsion applied to said produce by the roller 36).

ln the modification disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7, the polishing brush 29is replaced by a wide mop head 101 supported above the roller table 17by a U-shaped bracket 192. Said bracket 192 is adjustably secured toangle irons 3ft-a, similar to the lateral angle irons 34 of thepreviously described embodiment, by bolts 103 (Figs. 6 and 7) wherebythe mop head 101 may be held at any desired distance from the table 17.The polishing action of the mop head 161 upon the waxed produce is bestseen in Fig. 6, where the wiping or rubbing action of the free ends ofthe mop 161 upon the potatoes is apparent.

While i have described two embodiments of the present invention, it willbe understood that various changes and modifications may be made in thedetails thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. An applicator for coating the outer surface of objects with an evenilm of liquid comprising a table including means for rotating objectsdelivered to said table and for advancing said objects, a rotatablebrush mounted above and transversely of said table for rubbing eachobject delivered to said table, a stationary shaft mounted above saidbrush in spaced parallel relation thereto, a carriage mounted on saidshaft for movement axially thereon, a valve mounted on said carriage andadapted to dispense liquid to said brush, a liquid supply meanscommunicating with said valve, a rotatable shaft supported in spacedparallel relation to said brush and having a continuous reversingthread, means on said carriage engaging said thread, means for rotatingsaid threaded shaft to cause said carriage to reciprocate on itssupporting shaft along the length of said brush for supplying liquiduniformly to said brush, and means for rotating said brush to apply saidliquid evenly to each object passing said brush.

2. An applicator for applying a uniform iilm of owable material to theouter surface of objects comprising means for advancing objects along apredetermined path, a roller mounted across the path of the advancingobjects for wiping the same, a flowable material dispenser mounted fortransversely reciprocating and longitudinally pivoting movement betweenthe ends of the wiping roller for furnishing iowaole material to saidroller, means for reciprocating said dispenser from end to end of saidroller to distribute the owable material over substantially the entirelength of said roller, said dispenser being operatively contacted frombelow by the reciprocating means at a point intermediate the dispenserspivotal axis a'nd its' material discharge outlet for discretionaryupward pivoting thereof in order to remove the dispenser from operat'ivecontact with the reciprocating means.

3. An applicator for applying a film of flowable' ma terial to the outersurface of objects comprising means for advancing objects along apredetermined path and for rotating the objects during such advancement,a rotatable object Wiper extending transversely of the path of theadvancing objects for applying owable material to the advancing objects,means for rotating said Wiper, means including a stationary shaftextending transversely of the predetermined object path, a carriagemounted on said shaft for slidable movement longitudinally thereof and adispenser mounted on said carriage for supplying flowable material tosaid wiper, and means including a rotatable shaft extending transverselyof the predetermined object path and having a continuous reversingthread for slidably reciprocating said carriage longitudinally of saidstationary shaft to distribute the owable material along substantiallythe entire length of said wiper.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

